AFTER THE SERMON-Prioritize Giving
We hope today’s message was encouraging and helpful. These notes are meant to help you remember and reflect on the message, help you go deeper into study on the subject, or to be used for a Bible/sermon group study. Enjoy!
Series: The Journey of Generosity
Sermon Title: Prioritize Giving (Week 3)
Main Scripture: Acts 20:35; Proverbs 11:24-25; Genesis 4:1-5; Genesis 14:18-20; Genesis 28:10-22; Malachi 3:6-12; 2 Corinthians 9:6-8
Other scripture mentioned: Exodus 20:3; Matt 22:37; Proverbs 3:9
(If you’re going through this discussion with a community group this week consider taking the time to read or paraphrase through some of the provided scripture to catch everyone up!)
Overview:
Pastor Ryan took us forward on the journey of generosity with a simple reminder to make giving a priority. The Bible gives us principles for giving that have been practiced for centuries in the Christian church. The first fruits principle says to give to God first before using any of your income on yourself, expenses, or savings. The tithing principle means tenth and equates to 10% of your income. Tithing has served as a great baseline and introduction to giving. The give cheerfully principle is the attitude and way in which you give to God. God desires a willing and cheerful heart as we give to Him. Generosity flows from practicing these principles. None of these principles are law or obligation. We are givers because God gave first. We are generous because God was generous, first. When we keep God first in our lives we worship Him in every area of our lives, including our finances. Overall, it’s going to be hard to be generous if we don’t practice the basic and willful desire to be a giver. Pastor Ryan taught and encouraged us that giving sets the foundation for being generous. If you have not become a giver to the church we highly encourage you to make it a priority as you seek to keep God first in every area of your life.
Takeaways:
Pastor Ryan admitted when he was younger, “I taught to put God first in our lives but He wasn’t first in my finances.”
Generous people prioritize giving.
Being generous is an overflow from being a giver.
Does God deserve my best or does He deserve my leftovers?
We honor God above all else when we give to Him first.
When we give to God first the desire for other things fade and suddenly they are too expensive!
Giving to God is the only time in scripture where God says “test me.”
Giving 10% is a great way to help you grow in generosity. 10% doesn’t have to stop your desire to give more.
Giving to God is an act of worship and trust in God.
Discussion:
What was one big takeaway for you from this message?
What did you sense the Holy Spirit was saying to you during this message?
Should we put God first in every area of our lives, including our finances? Why or why not?
Why do you give to God?
According to Malachi 3:10-12 what happens when we trust and give to God? What happens if we don’t?
Should we put a limit on what we give?
Why would God want us to give willingly and cheerfully?
What do you think being generous looks like for you and what steps are you taking to get there?
Pray:
God, we are grateful for everything you have blessed us with here on earth and the eternal life we have inherited even now. We see your heart today about giving and how important it is to you. We commit ourselves to the act of worship, trust and obedience to give to you. We keep you first and decide today to be cheerful givers. We step out in faith to be generous in our giving. Thank you for multiplying our generosity! May you receive all the glory, in Jesus name, Amen!
We hoped you found this AFTER THE SERMON discussion helpful for your walk with Jesus. We pray you can find ways to apply it this week!